Shelf bracket



May 6, 1930. R PA LIN'G 1,756,954

SHELF BRACKET Filed Aug. 19, 1927 'INVENTOR,

Patented May 6, 1930 THOMAS R. PAULIN G, F ANDREWS, INDIANA SHELF BRAGKET Application filed. August 19, 1927. Serial No. 214,045.

This invention is a novel improvement in shelf brackets or supports, and the principal object of the invention is to provide sheet metal shelf brackets or supports adapted to be attached to the opposed inner side walls of metallic or wooden cabinets, cases, or the like, to receive the ends of removable shelves, the body portions of the brackets or supports be ing so formed that the same will have a desired amount of resiliency to allow for slight variations in the lengths of the shelves, and to yieldably maintain the shelves in engagement therewith to support the shelves in horizontal position.

Other minor objects of the invention will be hereinafter set forth.

I will explain the invention with reference to the accompanying drawing which shows severalpractical embodiments thereof to enable others to adopt and use the same; and I will summarize in the claims the novel features of construction, and novel combinations of parts, for which protection is desired.

In said drawings Figure 1 is a transverse section through the side wall of a cabinet showing in section my preferred form of bracket applied thereto and supporting a shelf; I

Fig. 2 is a plan view thereof with the shelf removed;

Fig. 3 is, a side elevation of the bracket, detached;

Fig. 4 is a View similar to Fig. 1 showing a modification of the bracket and shelf.

As shown in Fig.2, my novel bracket is preferably formed of a rectangular metallic sheet of substantial width, the length of the sheet conforming with the width of the cabinet side member A. In the bracket shown in Figs. 1-3 inclusive, the sheet is bent along its longitudinal axis to form a longitudinally disposed shelf engaging groove portion 1 which groove is preferably substantially semi-cylindrical in cross-section and adapted 5 to receive the rounded end S of the shelf S.

Groove 1 however may be of any other desired cross-section to receive the correspondingly shaped end of shelf S.

The metal at each side of the central groove portion 1 is bent back upon itself as at 1 and the outer flange portions 1 and 1 are curved rearwardly and outwardly thereby imparting to the bracket a substantial M bracket. The outer portions of flanges 1 1",

lie in the same plane which is normal to the longitudinal axis of the shelf engaging groove 1'.

Preferably the front edge of the bracket is cut on a bevel asat 1 in F ig. 3 therebyimparting to the front end 1 of the semi-cylindrical groove portion 1 a rounded semi-circular outer edge (Fig. 2) to conform with the rounded front edge of shelf S.

In the modification shown in Fig. 4, the sheet 1 is bent back upon itself on its longitudinal axis to form a central longitudinally disposed rib 2 adapted to fit into a groove S in the squared end of the shelf S, and on each side of the rib 2 the sheet is bent in opposite directions at right angles to the rib 2' to form bearing surfaces 2* adapted to engage the ends of shelf S above and below the groove S said portions 2' extending only tothe top and bottom faces of the shelf. The outer ends of portions 2" are bent rearwardly and outwardly similarly to flanges 1, 1 of Figs. 1-3 inclusive, to form curved flanges 2 and 2 the outer edge portions of flanges 2 and 2 lying in the same plane which is normal to the rib 2 If desired, the lower flange 2 instead of being curved like the upper flange 2,

may be formed of a plurality of plane surfaces 2 the lines of intersection of which are parallel with the rib 2.

The upper edges of flange 1, 2 of the brackets are preferably spot welded as at A to the side A of the metallic cabinet, or same may be permanently or adjustably attached thereto in any other desired manner, while the lower flange bracket is preferably unattached to the side A and its lower edge merely bears thereagainst and resiliently spaces the shelf engaging portion from the wall. Hence the body of the bracket is so formed as to have a desired amount of resiliency to allow for slight variations in the lengths of shelves S while yieldably holding the shelves in horizontal position.

My novel resilient brackets may be used with shelves having rounded, squared, or grooved ends and may be permanently or adjustably secured to the side Walls of metallic or wooden cabinets. I do not limit my invention to the exact forms shown in the drawing for obviously changes may be made therein Within the scope of the claims.

I claim 2- 1. A shelf bracket formed of sheet metal having a central shelf engaging portionand rearwardly and outwardly extending top and bottom flange portions; the top flange being adapted to be attached to a support and the bottomflange resiliently spacing the shelf engaging portion from the support.

2. A shelf bracket formed of sheet metal having a central shelf engaging portion and rearwardly and outwardly curved top and bottom flange portions having their outer ends disposed in a common plane; the top flange being adapted to be attached to a support, and the bottom flange resiliently spacing the shelf engaging portion from the support. 7

. I In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I afliX my signature.

' 1 THOMAS E. PAULING. 

